Major school projects get initial OK: Education Committee approves $1.2M capital outlay note
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“This is a good solution and I’m tremendously happy,” committee chairman Bill Zechman said, adding the note should not require a tax increase because of low interest rates.
Zechman suggested last week that the commission consider a $650,000 capital outlay note which would have only funded renovations to Nunley Stadium and the middle school auditorium. As both of these facilities have experienced severe wear and tear since they were built in the 1950s, the two renovation projects should have been undertaken years ago, Zechman argued.
Committee member Herschel Wells, himself an engineer, let it be known he seriously doubted the two projects at the middle school could be done right for $650,000, which he said would only be enough to do the projects at a makeshift level.
Budget and Finance Committee member David Hill said he was concerned secondary high school sports such as soccer, which his two daughters play, have for too long received the short end of the stick when it comes to funding. He then expressed his support for the commission to also fund a multi-sport fieldhouse proposed by the school system’s athletic department.
According to a presentation made to the school board by head football coach Gerald Tidwell in March, such a fieldhouse would contain a large weight room, locker rooms, showers, offices and other workout areas, and would be available to all high school athletes. According to Tidwell’s estimates, such a facility would cost $400,000.
“If we’re going to do these things,” said Wells, after hearing much of the discussion, “we ought to do them all and do them right. I’d like to do one big capital outlay note and take care of it all at once.”
The $1.2 million figure was then determined by combining estimates of $500,000 for Nunley Stadium renovations, $300,000 for middle school auditorium renovations and $400,000 to construct a fieldhouse.
It was noted $1.2 million would most likely not be enough to complete the projects in their entirety. Director of Schools Dr. Jerry Hale said, however, that he was confident the school board would fund the remainder.
Before any money is appropriated by the county, the capital outlay note must first be approved by the Budget and Finance Committee as well as the full commission.
Where the money is going
$1.2 million capital outlay note
Nunley Stadium $500,000
New fieldhouse $400,000
WCMS auditorium $300,000